Father of Love

These past fifteen days in Hawaii have been amazing. But we've also experienced some mishaps. 

It first began when one of my closest friends Christina was stung by a jellyfish. 

Then one of my roommates Amber got pink eye. 

Then Amber stepped on a sea urchin and had to soak her foot in hot water for the spikes to fall out. 

Then my other roommate and one of my other closest girlfriends Ida got severely sunburned last Saturday.  

Then Ida's sunburned turned out to be something like sun stroke. 

Then Christina got a severe allergic reaction to possibly the jellyfish poison or a plant she encountered in her grounds crew work (or possibly both) and was taken to the emergency room on Tuesday. 

All in two weeks. 

All to the girls I spend most of my time with and live with. 

I can't help seeing myself as a common factor and I've begun wondering if there's something going on in the spiritual realm that I somehow have to do with. 

All three are better now, but last Saturday, Ida's sunburn had scared me. Her body experiences an allergic reaction to much sun exposure already and then the redness of her fair Danish complexion after a day on the beach... Her back, arms, legs, chest, and face were scorching red and fiery to the touch. My heart ached for her, watching her in pain. 

As a woman with defined maternal instincts, as Ida's roommate and one of her closest friends here in Hawaii, I assumed the role of being her nurse those few days. Truly, I loved tending to her in her need. Anyone who knows me well knows that I love taking care of those I love. 

So I gave her ibuprofen. I sent her into a cold shower. I wrapped a cold wet towel around her shoulders. I tucked her into bed. I got her iced coffee. I played worship music on my phone to comfort her. I sat beside her on her bed and stroked her leg to remind her that I love her and that I'm here for her. I rubbed soothing aloe vera over her body. 

And that first painful night as we sat on her bed together in the lamplight, alone in our little bedroom thousands of miles from our homes and from our families... That first night as I gently massaged aloe into the layers of sunburned flesh on her bare back, the Lord whispered to my heart. As I watched her wince in pain at my soft touch on her sensitive skin, wanting to cry the tears for her that she was trying to hold back, He spoke to me. 

And He told me that it's in that same way that He cares for me. For us. 

We make mistakes in this life. Ida made the mistake of not applying enough sunscreen. We make mistakes. We go the wrong way. We stray. We get hurt, wounded. Our heart breaks. 

We disappoint Jesus. But He isn't angry. When we're hurt by our mistakes and broken in contriteness, He doesn't hold a rod of correction over our heads. When we're down prostrate with regret and shame, He doesn't strike us in rebuke. 

He loves us. 

Like a Shepherd cares for His sheep. 

Like a father loves his wayward prodigal son. 

He takes us in His strong arms and gathers us into the protection of His bosom. He holds us close, cries tears rolling down His glorious face, feeling our pain with us. He binds up our wounds tenderly with His nail-scarred hands. And He reminds us that He loves us. He loves us. 

"'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.'" Luke 15:4-7

Friends, I tell you, whatever mistake you've made, He is faithful. He is waiting with arms wide open to comfort you and to welcome you home. To embrace you, to hold you close. To heal you. To restore. Not to chasten and harshly rebuke.  

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalms 51:17

Never be afraid to run to Him with your hurt, with your pain, your regret, your shame, your guilt, your burdens. Whatever you've done, whatever is on your heart, we need not fear approaching the throne of grace. 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9

Don't cower from His glory and His goodness.

"'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'" Matthew 11:28-30

Wherever you find yourself, let Him love you.